Welcome to our latest edition of Scene Change, where we invite you behind the scenes to explore the upkeep and enhancements we’re making in the Cultural District.
This story is part of a series that highlights our work as a steward of several iconic artistic spaces. Check out December edition to see what other projects we've undertaken in recent months.
Rodeny Lingenfelter (l), Steve O'Shelle (center), and Bill Steele (right) worked as a team to complete the plaster restoration.
The team prepares to apply the plaster to restore the cornice.
Finishing Touches on the Benedum Front of House Elevator
As you may know, our Front of House Elevator is now operational as of this fall! But the construction equipment is still on site as we shift our focus to the finishing touches. Mechanical, electrical, and other technical trades are hard at work behind the scenes.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this project is the revival of a lost art at the Benedum Center— ornamental plaster restoration. We even brought Rodney Lingenfelter out of retirement to oversee the process, alongside Journeyman Plaster Finisher Steve O’Shelle and Apprentice Bill Steele. Their craftsmanship is helping preserve the theater’s historic elegance.
The plaster molding in process.
The plaster molding process begins by carving a profile into a thin metal plate backed with wood. A sled is then built to create a small extrusion. Once removed from the “box,” the piece can be cut and applied to the wall to restore the cornice. While the plaster is nearly set, it remains slightly pliable, allowing the die to pass over the material several times to form the final section of molding.
A number of pieces of ornate plaster molding is ready to be applied.
Custom Exit Signs at the Byham
Exit signs may be essential safety features, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be pretty. At the Byham, we commissioned custom 3D-printed new exit signs to match the existing, historic signage.
The new exit signs can be found throughout the Byham.
O'Reilly Façade Repair
At the O’Reilly Theater, we’re tackling a delicate masonry repair on the building’s iconic blue glazed tile façade. To achieve a seamless look, the contractor is working with a paint vendor to perform a spectrophotometer color scan to ensure an exact match for the epoxy coating. This work will ensure that the O'Reilly, which was designed by world-renowned architect Michael Graves, retains its iconic, blue exterior.
The iconic blue of the O'Reilly façade will soon receive a face lift.